Man U held by Exeter, City and Villa exit Cup

Page Tools

FA Cup holders Manchester United were sensationally held to a
goalless home draw by minor league Exeter City as Manchester City
and Aston Villa suffered third-round exits today.

Premier League leaders Chelsea had to come from behind to beat
fourth division side Scunthorpe United 3-1 and League Cup holders
Middlesbrough needed second-half goals for a 2-1 comeback win over
fourth division Notts County.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid the price for using
second and third-string players against Exeter, who weathered a
late storm as internationals Paul Scholes, Alan Smith and Cristiano
Ronaldo came on as substitutes at Old Trafford.

Manchester City were the biggest losers, going down 1-0 to third
division Oldham in a local derby, while three struggling Premier
League sides lost to second division clubs bidding for
promotion.

Villa, with only one win in their previous eight games, lost 3-1
at Sheffield United after taking the lead and Norwich City and
Crystal Palace also went out of the competition.

Norwich were beaten 1-0 at West Ham United, and Palace
surrendered the lead in a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, Marcus Stewart
converting a match-winning penalty on the hour.

Though they were on the ropes in the closing stages, Exeter made
a bright start in blustery conditions to their dream tie, with Dean
Moxey missing the best chance of the first half.

Ferguson threw on a few regulars during the closing stages but
the record 11-times FA Cup winners face an unexpected trip to
Exeter's St James' Park ground on January 18.

Ferguson admitted he may have made a tactical error.

"With the conditions on a windy day, maybe I should have brought
Scholes, Smith and Ronaldo on at half-time," he said.

"It's Exeter's day, there's no way you can take that away from
them. It's fantastic for them, the greatest day of their lives in
sporting terms."

Chelsea also had to struggle against rank outsiders at Stamford
Bridge.

Serbia and Montenegro striker Mateja Kezman levelled with a
superb volley past Paul Musselwhite, who was also between the posts
when Scunthorpe dumped Chelsea out of the League Cup in 1988.

Scunthorpe defender Andy Crosby settled Chelsea's nerves by
putting the ball into his own net just before the hour mark and
striker Eidur Gudjohnsen poached Chelsea's third.

Four days after holding champions Arsenal to a 1-1 Premier
League draw at Highbury, Manchester City were on very different
form in the Cup.

Scott Vernon put Oldham's winner past England keeper David James
from close range in the 14th minute.

Two goals in the last 10 minutes from attacking midfielder Andy
Liddell gave Sheffield United their victory over Villa in the day's
pulsating opening tie at Bramall Lane.

Middlesbrough fell behind after just two minutes against fourth
division Notts County, Irish midfielder Tony Scully scoring with a
deflected shot.

It took Boro another 52 minutes to level with a thunderbolt from
Brazilian midfielder Doriva and Cameroon striker Joseph-Desire Job
fired the winner.

Southampton's defence was breached by fourth division
Northampton but the Premier League strugglers still secured a first
win for their manager Harry Redknapp, whose newly-signed son Jamie
claimed the third goal in a 3-1 victory.

Everton rounded off the day's games with a 3-1 win at second
division Plymouth Argyle, but spent most the second half in
last-ditch defending before substitute Nick Chadwick scored their
third goal six minutes from time.